Strengths-Based Writing Program
Why strengths-based writing? If you’re like most humans, you focus more on what is wrong with you than what is right. On top of learning about the publishing process, this group will devote much-needed time to gain self-insight and focus on our strengths.
Hang out with other writers, hone your skills, and prepare for your future as an author all at the same time. We will teach you about getting into the writer’s mindset, future careers you can explore in writing, and ways you can believe in yourself. We provide guidance and support through editing your work and sharing feedback to help you grow.
The program typically meets once per week for 1 hour and 30 minutes for 6-10 weeks. This can be tailored to the schedule needs of the group. Participant size is limited to 15 to share creativity in a safe, small-group setting. Email renee@youthbeheard.org with questions or if you have an interest in bringing this to your school!
Quantitative results from past programming:
100% said it helped them gain self-insight
More than 80% reported that it grew their confidence in themselves and their abilities, increased awareness of their strengths and increased their sense of accomplishment.
Participants rated their knowledge about methods for publishing in a pre and post-test and reported a 139% increase!
Qualitative responses from youth participants:
- I learned the most about myself and my writing habits. This program prompted lots of introspection that I am very grateful for.
- how to feel confident in my words, drive inspiration from anything, learning about publishing as a teenager, how to create an internit community
- I grew most by actually becoming confident in my writing. I felt iffy before, but now I feel that I can be successful.
- I definitely learned that I’m not alone and that there is so many people who can relate to me, who’ve struggled like me, and who want to write about it too! It felt so nice to be supported and have this place to come to weekly. I learned so much about publishing and feel like I have the skills to start getting my poetry novel together, in technical publishing skills and in confidence! I also loved how we checked in at the beginning of the meetings and got to bond more with other writers.
- That I should not be embarrassed about my writing nor embarrassed about myself as a person. I learned to not compare myself to other writers but instead just listen and grow together.
- It’s okay to be vulnerable.
- I wrote outside of my comfort zone during this program, and I learned a little bit more about the publishing industry and writing as a teenager.
Qualitative data gathered from past participants also showed that they appreciated that the group challenged them to think and write differently and found it to be an encouraging place to take creative risks.